Twist closure

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a rotary closure ( 1 ) having a carrying body ( 5 ) which carries a plug-in section ( 6 ) for plugging into a plug-in opening, in which the plug-in section ( 6 ) can be arrested by means of a retaining element ( 37 ) which can be rendered operational or non-operational by virtue of a rotary handgrip ( 4 ) being rotated, it being possible for said rotary handgrip ( 4 ) to be blocked by means of a combination lock having a plurality of number disks ( 10 ). For the purpose of realizing a rotary closure which is of straightforward, compact construction and which can be used to close plug-in openings of objects of different configurations, the invention proposes a pull member ( 33 ) which can be displaced axially by virtue of the rotary handgrip ( 4 ) being rotated and is intended for actuating the retaining element ( 37 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a rotary closure having a carrying bodywhich carries a plug-in section for plugging into a plug-in opening, inwhich the plug-in section can be arrested by means of a retainingelement which can be rendered operational or non-operational by virtueof a rotary handgrip being rotated, it being possible for this rotaryhandgrip to be blocked by means of a combination lock having a pluralityof number disks.

[0002] A rotary closure of the abovementioned type is known from EP 0740 122 A2, the rotary closure being formed as a trigger-blockingfirearm lock. This is associated with the trigger unit of a handgun. Theplug-in section is configured in the manner of a toothed strip and canbe rendered operational or non-operational in relation to a retainingelement by virtue of rotation. This retaining element is configured as atoothed slide which is spring-mounted transversely to the plug-indirection.

[0003] It is an object of the invention for a rotary closure of thegeneric type, while being of straightforward, compact construction, tobe configured such that it can be used in a favorable manner to closeplug-in openings of objects of different configurations.

[0004] This object is achieved first and foremost in the case of arotary closure having the features of claim 1, this being based onproviding a pull member which can be displaced axially by virtue of therotary handgrip being rotated and is intended for actuating theretaining element.

[0005] Such a configuration gives a rotary closure of the type inquestion which is suitable for closing plug-in openings of differentobjects. These objects may be, for example, canisters, bottles or othertypes of container. For the purpose of closing a corresponding plug-inopening, the rotary closure has to be inserted into the plug-in openingby way of its plug-in section, which contains the retaining element.Rotation of the rotary handgrip then makes it possible to displace anaxial pull member which, for its part, actuates the retaining elementand moves the latter into the closed position in relation to the plug-insection. The more the pull member is displaced axially, the moreintimately is the retaining element fitted within the plug-in opening.If the retaining element has reached its firmly seated position, thesecret code of the combination lock may be adjusted if this has notalready taken place, so that it is then no longer possible for the pullmember to be actuated in order to render, for example, the retainingelement non-operational. This proves to be advantageous in functionalterms if the pull member is guided in a rotationally fixed manner in thecarrying body and is in threaded engagement with the rotary handgrip.This makes it possible for the pull member to be adjusted in a steplessmanner. Furthermore, co-rotation of the pull member during rotaryadjustment and corresponding adverse effects on the axial displacementare prevented. Emphasis should, further, be placed on the fact that theretaining element is a compressible tube which increases in diameter byvirtue of an axial pressure being applied. This configuration issuitable predominantly in the case of plug-in openings of bottles. Forexample, it is possible for parents to secure a spirit-containing bottlewhich has not yet been used up so that children cannot open it. It isalso possible for bottles which contain cleaning agents etc. to besecured in this way. In order for it to be possible for the constructionof the rotary closure to be of compact configuration, the number disksare oriented in a star-shaped manner in relation to the axis of rotationof the rotary handgrip and are seated on individual spindles. It isfavorable in handling terms if the carrying body and the rotary handgripoverlap substantially completely in cross-section. In order to preventthe rotary handgrip from being rotated back once the secret code hasbeen adjusted, there are provided blocking pins which run parallel tothe axis of rotation and engage in blocking cutouts of the carryingbody. The blocking cutouts are advantageously configured such that, oncethe secret code has been adjusted, they allow the rotary handgrip to berotated forward in order to displace, for example, the pull member inthe axial direction, this being accompanied by diameter-increasingcompression of the compressible tube. In this case, the blocking pinsrun over the blocking-cutout flanks configured in the form of run-onslopes. In order for this to be possible, the run-on slopes areyieldable under spring loading. The combination lock is favorablyconstructed such that the blocking sleeves, which are rotationallycoupled to the number disks, each have a flattened portion which, in therelease position, is located in front of a head of the blocking pins,which are spring-loaded in the direction of the blocking sleeve. Inaccordance with the number of number disks, there is thus acorresponding number of blocking pins, which interact with the blockingsleeves associated with them. The operation of setting the predeterminedsecret code then presupposes that the blocking sleeves are rotated, viathe number disks, such that the flattened portions are located in frontof the heads of the blocking pins. Accordingly, these blocking pins maybe displaced under spring loading such that they do not project into theblocking cutouts. As has already been mentioned in the introduction,such a rotary closure may favorably be configured as a bottle closure.The secret code may be altered as in the case of known combinationlocks. For this purpose, there is mounted in the rotary handgrip arotary star which has actuating arms located in front of the blockingsleeves. The rotary star forms a hub through which the threaded spindleof the pull member passes and which has a tool-engagement surface. Thismakes it possible, for example by means of a screwdriver or by means ofa coin, for the rotary star to be displaced, this being, combined withdisplacement of the blocking sleeves, which in the process are uncoupledfrom the number disks. The latter, for their part, may then be rotatedin order for a different secret code to be selected. The operation ofaltering the secret code, however, presupposes that the blocking sleeveshave previously been rotated such that the flattened portions of theblocking sleeves are located in front of the heads of the blocking pins.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained hereinbelowwith reference to the drawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 shows a view of a rotary closure which is configuredaccording to the invention and is associated with a plug-in opening of abottle, the compressible tube not yet being operational,

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the rotary closure,

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the rotary handgrip, with thetool-engagement surface of the rotary star being visible,

[0010]FIG. 4 shows an illustration as in FIG. 1, but with thecompressible tube operational,

[0011]FIG. 5 shows the section along line V-V in FIG. 4,

[0012]FIG. 6 shows the section along line VI-VI in FIG. 4,

[0013]FIG. 7 shows a section which is comparable with FIG. 6, but withthe secret code set correctly,

[0014]FIG. 8 shows the section along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 4,

[0015]FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the carrying body, that is to say withthe rotary handgrip omitted,

[0016]FIG. 10 shows the section along line X-X in FIG. 8, that region ofthe rotary handgrip which accommodates the number disks being omitted,

[0017]FIG. 11 shows a perspective illustration of the rotary closure,

[0018]FIG. 12 shows the exploded illustration, in perspective, of therotary closure, and

[0019]FIG. 13 shows another perspective of the rotary closure in thenon-assembled state.

[0020] The rotary closure is designated overall by the numeral 1.According to the exemplary embodiment, it is in the form of a bottleclosure, so that it is possible to use it to close the plug-in opening 2of a bottle 3 firmly in a sealed manner, see FIG. 4 in particular.

[0021] In specific terms, the rotary closure 1 has a rotary handgrip 4,which is circular in plan view, a carrying body 5, which is ten-sided inplan view, and a plug-in section 6, which projects beyond the end sideof the carrying body 5. The carrying body 5 and the rotary handgrip 4here overlap completely in cross-section.

[0022] The rotary handgrip 4 is made up of two housing parts 7 and 8which are disposed axially one behind the other and are connected firmlyto one another by means of a screw 9. The latter is screwed in from thelower end side of the housing part 8, as seen in FIG. 8. In the housingpart 7, three number disks 10 are oriented in a star-shaped manner inrelation to the axis of rotation of the rotary handgrip 4. Each numberdisk 10 engages, with part of its circumference, into in each case onecutout 11 of the housing part 7, so that the number disks 10 areaccessible from the end corner region of the housing part 7. The numberdisks 10, for their part, are seated on individual spindles 12 which arepositioned in a chord-like manner in the housing part 7 and form thesides of an approximately isosceles triangle. These engage through thenumber disks 10, with the interposition of blocking sleeves 13. Theseare in alterable coupling engagement with the number disks 10. Tencoupling-engagement positions are possible, in accordance with thenumber of digits on the circumference of the number disks. Theengagement position of the blocking sleeve 13 in relation to the numberdisk 10 is maintained by a compression spring 14 seated on the spindle12.

[0023] Each blocking sleeve 13 is provided on its periphery with aflattened portion 15 which, with the secret code set correctly, islocated in front of a head 16 of a blocking pin 17, which isspring-loaded in the direction of the blocking sleeve 13. Since thereare three blocking sleeves 13, three blocking pins 17 extend, withuniform angle distribution, in the housing part 8. They are thus guidedin the housing part 8 in an axis-parallel manner in relation to the axisof rotation of the rotary handgrip 4. Compression springs 18 subject theblocking pins 17 to loading in the direction of the blocking disks 13.If the number disks 10, and thus the blocking sleeves 13, are rotatedand moved into the position according to FIG. 6, then the blockingsleeves 13 act, by way of their circular periphery, on the head 16 ofthe blocking pins 17 and displace these in the axially outwarddirection, this being accompanied by the blocking pins 17 projecting toa greater extent beyond the lower end border of the housing part 8, seeFIGS. 6 and 7.

[0024] The hub 19 of a rotary star 20 is mounted centrally in thehousing part 8. Three actuating arms 21 extend tangentially from the hub19, these actuating arms interacting with the facing end sides of theblocking sleeves 13. By virtue of the rotary star 20 being rotated, itis thus possible for the blocking sleeves 13 to be uncoupled from thenumber disks 10, the blocking sleeves 13 being displaced counter to theforce of the compression springs 14. The rotary displacement isaccompanied by a small degree of axial displacement of the hub 19, whichhas a compression spring 22 acting on it. Accordingly, for the purposeof resetting the secret code, the actuating arms remain in the positionin which the blocking sleeves 13 are uncoupled. If the secret code hasbeen reset, then rotary displacement of the rotary star 20 is onlypossible following previous axial displacement. It is then possible forthe blocking sleeves, on account of their spring loading, to be coupledagain to the number disks 10.

[0025] The free end of the hub 19 engages through the lower end surfaceof the housing part 8 and projects beyond the same. A tool-engagementsurface 23 in the form of a diametral slot is located in the projectingsection.

[0026] In order to rule out any undesirable self-adjustment of thenumber disks 10, the hub 19 of the rotary star 20 carries a spring ring24 with radially directed arms 24′ which, for their part, interact withnotches 10′ in the number disks 10. In accordance with the number ofdigits on the number disks 10, there is also a corresponding number ofnotches 10′ present.

[0027] The carrying body 5, which partially encloses the lower border ofthe housing part 8, allows the rotary handgrip 4 to be rotated. Thecarrying body 5 accommodates a rotationally secured blocking ring 25 inits interior. The rotational securing takes place by means of a radialpin 26 of the blocking ring 25, which radial pin 26 penetrates into aradial groove 5′ of the carrying body 5, see FIG. 9 in this respect. Onits broad surface which is directed toward the blocking pins 17, theblocking ring 24 forms three blocking cutouts 27 which are distributeduniformly over the circumference. With the secret code adjusted, thefree ends of the blocking pins 17 engage in these blocking cutouts, seeFIG. 6. If the secret code has been properly set, this results in thecase according to FIG. 7, in which the blocking pins 17 have their freeends located above the blocking cutouts 27. One flank 27′ of the latterruns parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary handgrip 4, whilethe other flank 27″ is configured in the form of a run-on slope. Theblocking ring 25 is spring-loaded in the direction of the blocking pins17 by means of three compression springs 28 distributed uniformly overthe circumference. By way of a radially outwardly directed collar 29′,an axially non-displaceable supporting ring 29 inserted into thecarrying body 5 limits the axial displacement of the blocking ring 25under the spring loading.

[0028] On the side opposite to the rotary handgrip 4, the carrying body5 continues into a reduced-diameter collar 30. This is provided with acentral through-passage opening 31 into which the carrying pin 32 of apull member 33 penetrates. At its lower, free end, the carrying pin 32continues into a larger-diameter flange plate 34. At its upper end, thecarrying pin 32 may be of such a nature that there is no possibility ofrotation within the through-passage opening 31, although axialdisplacement of the pull member is provided. At its upper end, accordingto FIG. 8, the carrying pin 32 continues into a threaded spindle 35.This engages through the hub 19 of the rotary star 20 and penetratesinto the internal thread 36 of the housing part 7 of the rotary handgrip4, see FIG. 8 in this respect. Between the flange plate 34 and thecollar 30, the carrying pin 32 carries a retaining element 37 which, inthe exemplary embodiment, is configured in the form of a compressibletube. When the compressible tube 37 is relieved of stressing, itsdiameter is somewhat smaller than that of the flange plate 34. Thediameter of the flange plate 34, in contrast, is somewhat smaller thanthat of the plug-in opening 2 of the bottle 3.

[0029] Functioning is as follows: if the plug-in opening 2 of a bottle 3is to be secured in a liquid-tight manner, then the rotary closure is tobe fitted such that the plug-in section 6 is inserted into the plug-inopening 2. The plug-in operation is possible with the compressible tube37 relieved of stressing, in which case this compressible tube assumesthe position according to FIGS. 1 and 8. The rotary handgrip 4 is thento be rotated in the clockwise direction, this being accompanied by thethreaded spindle 35 being displaced inward into the rotary handgrip 4.The flange plate 34 is displaced in this case, the compressible tube 37being clamped in between the collar 30 and the flange plate 34, and thusincreasing in diameter. The rotary displacement of the rotary handgrip 4here may take place with the secret code either set or adjusted. If thesecret code has been adjusted, then, although the blocking pins 17project into the blocking cutouts 27, the blocking pins run over theflanks 27′ and, in the process, displace the blocking ring 25 in aratchet-like manner in the direction of the base of the carrying body 5.If the secret code has been set, then there is no ratchet-like action.Following sufficient rotation of the rotary handgrip 4 and increase indiameter of the compressible tube 37, it is then possible for the secretcode to be adjusted if this has not already been done. It is then nolonger possible, on account of the blocking cutouts 27, for the rotaryhandgrip 4 to be rotated back. In order for it to be possible to removethe rotary closure 1, it is then necessary for the secret code to beset. Accordingly, the blocking pins 17 are consequently displaced, sothat the free ends of the same leave the blocking cutouts 27 of theblocking ring 25. The rotary handgrip 4 is then free for being rotatedback, this latter operation allowing the pull member 33 to be displacedand the compressible tube 37 to be relieved of stressing.

[0030] If it is intended to alter the secret code, then the plug-insection 6 has to be released completely from the rotary handgrip 4, thispresupposing that the rotary handgrip 4 has been unscrewed from thethreaded spindle 35. Thereafter, the tool-engagement surface 23 isaccessible, which allows the blocking sleeves 13 to be uncoupled fromthe number disks 10, as has been described in the introduction.

[0031] The cross-sectional shape of the compressible tube 37 and/or ofthe plug-in section may be selected differently in accordance with thecross-sectional shape of the plug-in opening which is to be closed ineach case.

[0032] All features disclosed are (in themselves) pertinent to theinvention. The disclosure content of the associated/attached prioritydocuments (copy of the prior application) is hereby also included infull in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose ofincorporating features of these documents in claims of the presentapplication.

1. A rotary closure (1) having a carrying body (5) which carries aplug-in section (6) for plugging into a plug-in opening (2), in whichthe plug-in section (6) can be arrested by means of a retaining element(37) which can be rendered operational or non-operational by virtue of arotary handgrip (4) being rotated, it being possible for said rotaryhandgrip (4) to be blocked by means of a combination lock having aplurality of number disks (10), characterised by a pull member (33)which can be displaced axially by virtue of the rotary handgrip (4)being rotated and is intended for actuating the retaining element (37).2. The rotary closure as claimed in claim 1 or in particular as claimedtherein, characterised in that the pull member (33) is guided in arotationally fixed manner in the carrying body (5) and is in threadedengagement with the rotary handgrip (4).
 3. The rotary closure asclaimed in one or more of the preceding claims or in particular asclaimed therein, characterised in that the retaining element (37) is acompressible tube (37) which increases in diameter by virtue of an axialpressure being applied.
 4. A rotary closure having a carrying body (5)which carries a plug-in section (6) for plugging into a plug-in opening(2), in which the plug-in section (6) can be arrested by means of aretaining element (37) which can be rendered operational ornon-operational by virtue of a rotary handgrip (4) being rotated, itbeing possible for said rotary handgrip (4) to be blocked by means of acombination lock having a plurality of number disks (10), characterisedin that the number disks (10) are oriented in a star-shaped manner inrelation to the axis of rotation of the rotary handgrip (4) and areseated on individual spindles (12).
 5. The rotary closure as claimed inone or more of the preceding claims or in particular as claimed therein,characterised in that the carrying body (5) and the rotary handgrip (4)overlap substantially completely in cross-section.
 6. The rotary closureas claimed in one or more of the preceding claims or in particular asclaimed therein, characterised by blocking pins (17) which run parallelto the axis of rotation and engage in blocking cutouts (27) of thecarrying body (5).
 7. The rotary closure as claimed in one or more ofthe preceding claims or in particular as claimed therein, characterisedin that one flank (27″) of the blocking cutout (27) forms a run-onslope.
 8. The rotary closure as claimed in one or more of the precedingclaims or in particular as claimed therein, characterised in that therun-on slopes (27″) are yieldable under spring loading.
 9. The rotaryclosure as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims or inparticular as claimed therein, characterised by blocking sleeves (13)which are rotationally coupled to the number disks (10) and have aflattened portion (15) which, in the release position, is located infront of a head (16) of the blocking pin (17), which is spring-loaded inthe direction of the blocking sleeve (13).
 10. The rotary closure asclaimed in one or more of the preceding claims or in particular asclaimed therein, characterised in that the rotary closure (1) is in theform of a bottle closure.
 11. The rotary closure as claimed in one ormore of the preceding claims or in particular as claimed therein,characterised by a rotary star (20) which is mounted in a rotationallyadjustable manner in the rotary handgrip (4), has actuating arms (21),the actuating arms (21) of the rotary star being located in front of theblocking sleeves (13), and has a hub (19) through which the threadedspindle (35) passes and which has a tool-engagement surface (23).